Self-propelled swather



Aug. 22, 1967 Filed April l, 1964 L. E. scHoL-:NWALD l SELF PROPELLED SWA-THER 3 Sheets-SheetI l INVENTOR.

3?@5 @gf E0/@H0 5 scHogA/WALD FIG. 7

ATTORNEY SELF-PROPELLED vSWATHER Filed April l, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. l0

FIG'. Il

INVEN'IgOR.

F/G- 15 Eon/ARD 5 scHoE/VWALD ATTORNEY Aug- `22. 1967 L. scHoENwALD 3,336,735

SELF-PROPELLED SWATHER Filed April l, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 F/G. 22 FIG. 23

H6. vZI INVENTOR LEONA/PD E SHOEVWL ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,336,735 SELF-PROPELLED SWATHER Leonard E. Schoenwald, Sawyer, N. Dak. 58781 Filed Apr. 1, 1964, Ser. No. 356,562 8 Claims. (Cl. 56-23) This invention relates t-o an improved machine for harvesting crops, and more particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, to an improved swather of this type including means for manipulating the direction of the machine as it goes through a harvesting sequence in a field.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved grain swather. Other objects of the invention are: to provide an improved grain swather including novel means for steering the machine; to provide in a machine of this type novel and improved means for propelling the same; to provide an improved self-propelled grain swather including novel means for adapting the machine for easy towing behind a tractor; to provide in a grain swather of the self-propelled type novel and improved means for mounting the wheels to provide a simple and effective way to steer and control the movement of the machine; to provide in a grain swather or harvesting machine novel and improved means for operating the cutter bar; to provide in a machine of this type novel linkage and control mechanism adapted to support and operate the cutter bar in an improved manner; to provide in a grain swather novel and improved means for clutching the grain conveyors; to provide in a grain swather or harvesting machine novel structure adapted to press the swath after it has been cut and laid down by the machine; to provide a machine of this type including a swath pressing roller positioned in the path of the swath; to provide a machine of this type including novel means for mounting a swath pressing roller; to provide vertical adjustment of the same from an elevated inoperative position to a lowered swath pressing position; to provide in a farm implement novel and improved seat construction adapted to afford maximum operator comfort and efficiency; and in general, to provide an improved grain swather or harvester which is highly versatile and dependable in operation, simple and inexpensive to construct, and rugged and long wearing in service.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings -wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top view of the invention, with portions broken away;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary enlarged view, partially in section, taken on the line 2 2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view taken on the line 3 3 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 4 is an elevation view of the inside of one of the caster wheels;

FIGURE 5 is a side view of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view taken onthe line l 6 6 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is a view taken on line 7 7 of FIGURE 5; FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partially in section, taken on the line 8 8 of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary side View taken on the line 9 9 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 10 is a front view of the invention with parts broken away;

FIGURE 11 is a -rear view of the invention with parts broken away;

` the line 13 13 of FIGURE l2;

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partially in section, taken on the line 14-14 of FIGURE l1;

FIGURE 15 is an enlarged fragmentary side view taken' on the line 15-15 of FIGURE 10 showing part of the machine;

FIGURE 16 is an enlarged fragmentary front view showing part of the machine;

FIGURE 17 is a fragmentary view taken on the line 17-17 of FIGURE 16;

FIGURE 18 is a fragmentary side view, partially in section, showing a 'feature of the machine;

FIGURE 19 is a View taken on the line 19 19 of FIGURE 18;

FIGURE 20 is a top view showing the power transmitting system forming part of the invention;

FIGURE 21 is a view taken on the line 21-21 of FIGURE 20;

FIGURE 22 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on the line 22 22 of FIGURE 10; and

FIGURE 23 is an ,enlarged fragmentary view taken on the line 23-23 of FIGURE 10.

Self-propelled swathers found in common use today incorporate a variety of features designed primarily to facilitate the cutting of grain crops and depositing the same in a swath behind the machine for curing and subsequent harvesting. Briefly stated, I provide a selfpropelled swather having a number of features which according to my knowledge are not presently available on machines of this type. For example, I provide an adjustable roller located in the path of the swath for pressing the swath down in order to keep the grain from blowing away, steering means incorporating a conventional steering wheel but operating to actuate a braking system on swivel type wheels whereby to turn the machine, a novel combination for imparting reciprocating movements to the cutter bar with improved efficiency and less wear, a novel drive system designed to provide ecient propulsion and Vadapted to permit the easy towing of the machine, and means for tilting and elevating the harvesting frame and reel with respect to the frame. In addition, my invention includes a novel seat construction adapted to provide maximum comfort and resistant to fatigue.

Turning now to the drawings, the invention, indicated in its entirety by the reference character A, includes a generally triangular shaped supporting frame 10 having sill members 12 and a top plate member 14. The frame 10 has structure adjacent one side thereof for mounting a conventional prime mover 16, preferably of the internal combustion engine type. Engine 16 includes a clutch 18, a transmission 19 and front and rear power takeoff shafts 20 and 21. Laterally spaced from engine 16 I provide a seat 24 and a set of steps 2'6 located adjacent thereto on one of the side sill members 12. The drive means for the machine includes a -ground engaging rear drive wheel 30 carried by frame 10 rearwardly of engine 16 and seat 24 by means 'of downwardly extending hanger members 32, 34 which rotatably carry a laterally extending drive axle 36 upon which wheel 30 is mounted for driving engagement with the ground. Power from engine 16 is transmitted through sheaves 22, 23 and belt 25 to transmission 19 which allows a selected gear ratio to be used during the operation of the machine. A sheave 38 on the output side of transmission 19 is connected by means of belt 40 to a driven sheave 42 rotatably mounted on a laterally positioned idler shaft 44 above and to one side of drive wheel 30. At the opposite end of sha-ft 44 a sheave 46 is mounted which is `drivingly connected by belt 48 to sheave 49 3 which is keyed to axle 36. A housing 47 is provided for the area overlying the drive system.

Supporting frame is equipped adjacent its front end with a pair of caster `wheels 50, 52, mounted for swiveling movements about vertical axes in spaced lateral alignment with each other and longitudinally spaced forwardly of drive wheel 30. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, each caster wheel 50, 52 is secured to frame 10 by a pair of vertical hangers 54, 56 depending from an inner generally circular turntable 58 rotatably mounted within a iixed horizontal annular support 60 that is carried by supporting struts 62, 64 fastened to sill members 12. Each caster wheel 50, 52 is equipped with an automotive type hydraulic braking system including a brake cylinder 66 adapted to expand a pair of brake shoes 78 against a brake drum 80 against the pressure of a spring 82. See FIGURE 4. A swivel type hydraulic fitting 84, FIGURE 2, connects the brake cylinder 66 in each wheel 50, 52 to hydraulic lines 86, 88, respectively. Hydraulic lines 86, 88 are connected to master cylinders 90, 92, which are mounted in laterally spaced longitudinally aligned relationship to each other adjacent the forward edge of frame 10 in front of seat 24. Each master cylinder 90, 92 is equipped with an internal piston (not shown) adapted to exert fluid pressure upon the individual brake cylinders of caster wheels 50, 52 according to their position within cylinders 90, 92. As shown in FIGURE 3, cylinders 90, 92 are equipped with external laterally inwardly extending rod members 94, '96, operable to actuate their respective pistons toward and away from a pressure position. Connecting the free ends of rod members 94, 96 is a pivotal link 98 which is rotatable about its rear end whereby to move the pistons in cylinders 90, 92 from a position of supplying fluid under pressure either through line 86 or line 88 to the respective brake cylinder in caster wheels 50, 52. Operator control of link 98 is accomplished by an automotive type steering mechanism 100 having an upwardly and rearwardly inclined elongated housing 102, a steering wheel 103 coupled to a shaft 104, FIGURE 9, carried within housing 102, and a gear reduction unit 106 connected to the shaft at its lower end. I t will be understood that turning movements on steering wheel 103 results in the rotation of the output shaft 108 (to which the rear end of link 98 is secured) of reduction unit 106 and consequently the rotation of link 98 in the manner described.

Further provided on frame 10 is a rear towing caster wheel 112 that is attached to sill member 12 in outwardly laterally spaced relation to drive wheel 30. Towing caster wheel 112 is mounted between a pair of hangers 114 of -greater length than the distance between the ground engaging surface of wheel 30 and frame 10. Hangers 114 converge into a hollow sleeve 116 that is pivotally mounted `for swiveling movement about a vertical axis upon a post 118. Post 118 is pivotally secured to sill member 12 for rotation about a horizontal axis so that towing caster wheel 112 may be swung up out of contact with the ground when the machine is being used in the eld. When it is desired to tow the machine, the rear of frame 10 is jacked up to raise wheel 30 free ofthe ground. Then towing caster wheel 112 is swung about its horizontal pivot axis into the ground engaging position shown by the dotted lines in FIGURE 11. Steering wheel 103 is manipulated to bring link 98 into a neutral position between cylinders 90, 92 to release any braking pressure upon the forward caster wheels 50, 52 and the machine is towed in a direction perpendicular to its normal axis (see FIGURE 1) by means of a laterally extending removable towing tongue structure 120 that is secured to sill member 12 adjacent the front of frame 10 by means of brackets 122, 124.

Turning now to a consideration of the `grain cutting and swath creating part of the machine, I provide a forwardly extending harvesting frame 130 pivotally carried on the front end lof support frame 10 for rocking movement about a laterally disposed generally horizontal pivot axis. A pair of laterally spaced hollow brackets 132, 134 receive a rigid elongated laterally extending horizontal rear tubular harvesting frame support 136. Rotatably mounted for limited rocking movement upon support 136 by means of a series of spaced forwardly extending clamps 138, FIGURE 14, is the harvesting frame 130. Harvesting frame includes a rear panel 140 having vertical stitfeners 142 in register with clamps 138 and a pair of side panels 144, 146 extending forwardly therefrom. Side panels 144, 146 incline downwardly and forwardly from a point, as at 150, forwardly of frame 10 to define with rear panel 140 a forwardly open grain receiving structure. On each side of panels 144, 146 a lower rigid forwardly extending structural support 152 is provided. A pair of forwardly extending reel arms 154 are rockably mounted on support 136 for limited pivoting movements in a vertical plane about their rear ends. Carried on the forward end of supports 152 is a cutter bar 160 provided with knives 162 operable to cut the grain as the machine moves in a forward direction. A pair of endless belt conveyors 166, 168 having flights 167, 169 are mounted in the harvesting frame 130 for grain delivering movements laterally inwardly toward an inner portion of the harvesting frame 130. The inner delivery ends of the conveyors 166, 168 define the opposite sides of a discharge opening 170 through which the cut grain falls to the ground in a windrow from the conveyors. Discharge opening 170 is laterally offset from the drive wheel 30 and swivel wheels 50, 52. Further provided within harvesting frame 130 is a laterally extending reel 174 of the conventional type having bats 175 and mounted upon a shaft 176 which is rotatably carried on the ends of arms 154. A reel driven sheave 178 on `one end of shaft 176 is connected by belt 182 to a reel driving sheave 180 located on frame support 136. Adjustment of the tension in belt 182 is provided by a pair of idler sheaves 184, adjustably mounted upon an arm 186 and one arm 154, as shown in FIGURE 5.

Means for elevating and lowering harvesting frame 130 about its rear pivot axis is provided by a pair of hydraulic cylmders 188, 190, FIGURE ll, connected at one end to frame 10 and at the other end to appropriate brackets 192 on the lower rear edge of frame 130. In addition, means for elevatlng and lowering the reel 174 about the rear pivot axis of supports 154 is provided by hydraulic cylinder means 194 connected at one end to the lower rear part of frame 130 and at the other end to arms 154 intermediate its length, as shown in FIGURE 5. The hydraulic cylinders 188, and 194 are in an hydraulic circuit and under the control of an operator control 196 operatively connected to a source of fluid pressure (pump 198 driven by engine 16) by fluid pressure lines 199. The circuit in known manner permits the introduction of pressure uid to one of the ends of the cylinders while exhausting from the other end and also permits the retention of uid in both ends of the cylinders to hold their p1stons in any desired set position. Thus through the action of cylinders 188, 190 and 194 frame 130 or reel 174 can be raised or lowered or held in any intermediate position.

Means for imparting reciprocating movement to the cutter bar 160 includes a laterally extending pitman rod 200 that is slidably mounted for lateral reciprocating movements within tubular support 136. As shown in FIGURE 16, pitman rod 200 is slidably supported intermediate its length within support 136 by a series of spaced bearing members 202. The outer ends of pitman rod 200 are connected to a pair of longitudinally extending and downwardly and forwardly inclined sway bars 204, 206, which are pivotally supported intermediate their ends by bearings 208, 210 secured to posts 212, 214 extending upwardly from supports 152. The lower ends of sway bars 204, 206 are pivotally secured to each end of the cutter bar 160. The mechanism for driving the pitman rod back and forth includes a generally trapezoidal shaped reticular frame member 216 secured along its bottom horizontally extending edge 218 to the top of the pitman rod 200 intermediate its ends. Support 136 is cut out, as at 137, to accommodate frame member 216. A pair of closely spaced vertical guides 220, 222 are carried within frame member 216 and support a slidable follower 224 having a central opening 226. A driving disk member 228, FIGURE 17, rotatably secured to a longitudinal shaft 229 behind frame member 216 is equipped with a forwardly protruding eccentrically placed extension 230 which is rotatably received within the opening 226 of follower 224. It is apparent that the rotation of disk fmember 228 about its axis results in the simultaneous reciprocation 0f pitman rod 200 in a lateral direction thereby causing sway bars 204, 206 to operate cutter bar 160.

Power is supplied from engine 16 to the belt conveyors 166, 168, the reel 174 and to the pitman rod assembly by the system of sheaves, shafts, and belts disclosed more particularly in FIGURE 20. As shown therein, a sheave 240 mounted on the output shaft 20 of engine 16 is connected by belt 242 to sheave 244 mounted on a shaft 246 extending in parallel spaced relation to shaft 20. Shaft 246, connected at its front end to pump 198, is provided with another sheave 248 between pump 198 and sheave 244. Sheave 248 is connected by belt 250 to sheave 252 which is mounted on shaft 254 which extends longitudinally in inwardly spaced lateral relation -to engine 16. Power from shaft 246 is operator controlled by a foot operated lever and control means 241 which operates to tighten or loosen the tension in belt 250 by means of -an idler sheave 243 carried upon a pivotal bracket 245 between sheaves 248 and 252. See FIGURE 21. Shaft 254 operates to drive sheaves 256 and 258 which are connected by belts 260 and 2,62 to sheaves 264 and 266, respectively. Sheave 266 is connected to shaft 229 4to operate the pitman rod assembly previously described. Sheave 264 is lmounted on shaft 268, which is carried on frame in laterally spaced relation to shafts 229, 246 and 254. Forward of sheave 264 another sheave 270 is mounted on shaft 268 and connected by belt 272 to sheave 274 which is connected to a right angle drive 278. A laterally extending shaft 280 connected to right angle drive 278 provides power for. the reel driving `sheave 180 previously described. Forward of she-ave 270 a sheave 282 is provided on shaft 268 to vdrive the belt conveyors 166, 168. A spring clutch 283 (see FIGURE is provided between sheaves 270 and 282 to allow operator control of the conveyor belts 166, 168 by virtue of a foot pedal 285 and associated linkage means 287. Sheave 282 is connected to a laterally spaced sheave 284 by means of a crossed belt 286 and a roller chain combination 289 extends downwardly from sheaves 282 and 284 to actuate the belt conveyors 166, 168 in inwardly opposed directions.

Another feature of my machine is a swath pressing roller 300 that is mounted for swath pressing action upon frame 10 in lateral registration with the discharge openking 170 between conveyor belts 166, 168. As shown in FIGURES 18 and 19, roller 300 includes a cylindrical body 302 having a length slightly longer than the width of opening 170. Roller 300 is mounted upon frame 10 by means of a pair of laterally spaced downwardly extending arms 304, 306 that are pivotally mounted at their upper ends to frame 10 adjacent of seat 24. A lever 308 is pivotally carried by frame 10 above arms 304, and is connected by chain 312 to arm-306. A hand lift 316, connected to lever 308 is operable to swing roller about its axis from a lowered swath pressing position to a raised inoperative position. Thus when grain such as flax i-s being windrowed by the machine, the roller 300 may be lowered to the solid line position of FIGURE 8 to press the swath down against the ground and prevent it fr-om blowing away. If it is not desired to use the roller for pressing down the swath, it can be raised by means of hand lever 316 to the dotted line position of FIGURE 18 up out of the way of the swath.

Seat 24 is also unique to my knowledge. As shown in in 'FIGURES 5 and 7, seat 24 includes a conventional horizontal platform 25 and vertical back rest 27. Platform 25 is supported upon diagonally opposite compression spring members 29, 31 and posts 33, 35 which receive a pair of downwardly open sleeves 37, 39 situated at opposite corners from springs 29, 31. This construction permits limited vertical oscillation of the platform 25 without affecting the longitudinal or lateral stability of the seat.

The invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be entirely satisfactory for lthe ufses intended. It is believed that the invention, its mode of construction and assembly and operation, as well as its advantagesV should be readily understood from the foregoing without further description, Iand it should also be manifest .that while a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the structural details are nevertheless capable of wide variation within the purview of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a self-propelled sw-ather including a supporting frame, motor means carried on said frame, grain harvesting means provided on the forward end of said frame, said harvesting means including a pair of belt conveyors having top ights moving laterally inwardly of said frame, said conveyors being spaced apart at their adjacent ends to provide a space for discharge of cut gra-in, the combination of:

a drive wheel operatively connected to said motor ,and located in laterally spaced relation to the space between said conveyors;

-a pai-r of caster wheels pivotal-ly mounted for rotation about vertical axes laterally spaced outwardly of said drive wheel and the space between said conveyors and longitudinally spaced from said drive wheel, and

means for selectively braking one of said caster wheels whereby to t-urn said swather in a desired direction.

2. The machine described in claim 1 wherein said caster wheels are positioned forward-ly of sai-d drive wheel in substantial lateral alignment with each other.

3. The machine described in claim 1 wherein said selective braking means includes:

hydraulically actuated brake cylinder means on each caster wheel,

a pair of master brake cylinders on saidframe operable to supply fluid pressure to each of sai-d brake cylinders,

fluid pressure lines connecting each of said master brake cylinders to one of said brake cylinders,

linkage mea-ns connected to and operable .to actuate a selected one of said master brake cylinders, and

steering mechanism including a steering wheel for permitting operator control of said linkage means.

4. The machine described in claim 1 wherein a vertically adjustable towing caster wheel is carried on said frame,

said towing caster wheel being pivotally mounted for rotation about a vertical axis positioned in longitudinally spaced relation to the axes of said pair of caster wheels,

and wherein a laterally outwardly extending towing tongue is secured to said frame.

5. In a self-propelled swather including a self propelled body having a motor, a harvesting frame pivotally mounted on the front end of said body for rotation about a lateral pivot axis, a pair of belt conveyors operatively connected to sa-id motor and having top High-ts moving laterally inwardly of said frame, said conveyors being spaced .apart at their adjacent ends to provide a space for discharge of cut grain, a cutter bar supported by said frame substantially parallel to and forward of said conveyors, the combination of:

a pair of longitudinal sway bars pivotally mounted intermediate their respective ends on opposite sides of said `frame and connected at their front ends to opposite ends of said cutter bar,

- a pitman rod mounted rearwardly -of said frame for lateral reciprocal movements and connected `at its oppos-ite ends to the rearward ends of said longitudinal sway bars, and

means connecting said pitman rod with said motor to reciprocate said pitman' rod to .impart reciprocating cutting movements lto said cutter bar; and

wherein said means connecting said pitmtan rod .to said motor includes a reticular frame secured to the top of said pitman rod intermediate its ends, a pair of laterally spaced guides within said reticular frame, a follower slidably carried within said guides, a rotatable member secured to said follower, and means operatively connecting said rotatable member with said motor.

6. In a self-propelled swather including a self propelled body having a motor, a harvesting frame pivotally mounted on the front end of said body for rotation about a lateral pivot axis, a pair of belt conveyors operatively connected .to said motor and having top flights moving laterally inwardly of said frame, said conveyors being spaced apart at their adjacent ends to provide a space for discharge of cut grain, la cutter bar supported by said frame substantially parallel to and forward of said conveyors, the combination of:

a pair of longitudinal sway bars pivotally mounted intermediate their .respective ends on opposite sides of said frame and connected at their front ends to opposite ends of said cutter bar,

a pitman rod mounted rearwardly of said frame for later-al reciprocal movements and connected at its opposite ends to the rearward ends of said longitudinal sway bars, and

means connecting said pitman rod with said motor to reciprocate said pitman rod to impart reciprocating cutting movements to said cutter bar; and

wherein the pivotal mounting connection between said harvester frame and said body includes a hollow laterally extending support member and wherein said pitman rod is carried within and extends from each end of said hollow support member. 7. In a self-propelled swather including a supporting frame, motor means carried on said frame, grain harvesting means provided on the forward end of said frame, said lharvesting means including a pair of belt conveyors having top ights moving laterally inwardly of said frame, said conveyors being spaced apart at their adjacent 10 ends to provide a space for discharge of cut grain, the

combination of:

a laterally extending roller mounted on said supporting frame in the path defined by the space between said conveyors and rearwardly thereof, and

means for swingably mounting said roller on said supporting frame for vertical movement from a position above the swath laid down by the machine to a lower position in which said roller bears `against the swath to press the swath -down against the ground.

8. The machine as defined in claim 7, wherein said roller is slightly longer than the width of said discharge space, said roller mounting means comprising a pair of laterally spaced arms each mounted at one of its ends 25 to said supporting frame for pivotal movement about a transverse horizontal axis, and means for pivoting said arms about said axis to move said roller between its said position above the swath to its said 'lower swath pressing posit-ion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,063,168 12/1936 Kinkead 56-26.5 2,395,672 2/1946 Kranick et al. 56-23 2,620,612 12/1952 De Eugenio 180-25 X 2,818,929 1/1958 Kucera 180-25 2,833,105 5/1958 Naery 56-23 X 2,906,078 9/1959 Toftin 56-23 2,989,829 6/1961 Heth et al. 56-23 X ABRAHAM G. STONE, Primary Examiner.

ANTONIO F. GUIDA, Examiner. 

1. IN A SELF-PROPELLED SWATHER INCLUDING A SUPPORTING FRAME, MOTOR MEANS CARRIED ON SAID FRAME, GRAIN HARVESTING MEANS PROVIDED ON THE FORWARD END OF SAID FRAME, SAID HARVESTING MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF BELT CONVEYORS HAVING TOP FLIGHTS MOVING LATERALLY INWARDLY OF SAID FRAME, SAID CONVEYORS BEING SPACED APART AT THEIR ADJACENT ENDS TO PROVIDE A SPACE FOR DISCHARGE OF CUT GRAIN, THE COMBINATION OF: A DRIVE WHEEL OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID MOTOR AND LOCATED IN LATERALLY SPACED RELATION TO THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID CONVEYORS; A PAIR OF CASTER WHEELS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ABOUT VERTICAL AXES LATERALLY SPACED OUTWARDLY OF SAID DRIVE WHEEL AND THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID CONVEYORS, AND LONGITUDINALLY SPACED FROM SAID DRIVE WHEEL, AND MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY BRAKING ONE OF SAID CASTER WHEELS WHEREBY TO TURN SAID SWATHER IN A DESIRED DIRECTION. 